Chapter 312 Examination

"Song Yan?" The aunt looked at Dou Zhao in surprise, very surprised.

"Yes!" Dou Zhao was very interested. "Both his parents are dead, and there is no one else in his family. He has lived with Mr. Song in Zhending for many years. You have seen him. He has a very kind character. If we can recruit him into our family, it would be great!"

The aunt came back to her senses. Seeing Dou Zhao's serious look, she was both angry and amused, and said, "You didn't make this decision on the spur of the moment, did you?"

If I told her that it was a spur of the moment decision, my aunt would definitely reject it outright given her cautious nature.

Dou Zhao flatly denied, "Of course not. I had this plan originally, but I thought the Song family was too poor. It was you who said you wanted to find someone from a scholarly family, so Song Yan is the most suitable." She said, forcing her aunt to make a decision quickly, "Just tell me if it's feasible or not? If you like him, I'll let Yantang help to be the matchmaker while Mr. Song and Song Yan haven't returned home yet. If you're not satisfied, we'll think of another way." As she spoke, she muttered, "As for the marriage gift, isn't it better to have fewer aunts and uncles in the family? Besides, we watched Song Yan grow up, and we know him well. It's rare to find a more suitable candidate than him!"

Most families that want to marry a son-in-law have few descendants. Although a contract of property inheritance and support will be signed before the marriage, as the father of the head of the family grows old and frail, the son-in-law who marries becomes shrewd and capable, gradually gains power, and eventually steals the woman's money and property, and then marries and has children. This is one of the important reasons why the woman is very cautious in choosing a son-in-law and attaches great importance to the man's character.

From this point of view, Song Yan's character is really beyond reproach.

Since it was only proposed by the woman, it seems like a rush to do something.

My aunt was a little hesitant.

The more Dou Zhao thought about it, the more he felt that Song Yan was suitable - not only was he handsome, but he was also gentle, hardworking, and honest. When his uncle and aunt got old, they would definitely live a good life with Song Yan taking care of them.

Seeing this, she hurriedly said, "Sure, we have to give it a try, right? My cousin is already 20 years old, how many more years can you keep her?"

My aunt thought about it and decided to take a safe approach. She said, "You go and test the waters first. If the Song family also has this intention, it won't be too late for us to propose marriage then."

Dou Zhao said "hmm" and happily went to the flower hall in front.

Song Mo was talking to Song Yan: "... I didn't expect that we were actually from the same family. Where are you from? How old are you? What does your father do? Who else is in your family? Have you ever been to school?"

Mr. Song thought that Song Mo was just curious about meeting someone with the same surname, and he didn't think much about it. Song Yan would not doubt it either. He answered respectfully one by one: "I am from Quzhou. I just came of age this year. My father was a scholar who made a living by sitting in a library. He died of illness when I was three years old. When I was seven years old, my mother also died of illness. There were not many people left in the family. I studied with my uncle for a few years and can recognize a few words."

He was so humble and polite in his words and deeds that Song Mo could not help but nod secretly. He then asked, "Since you have reached adulthood, have you chosen a different name?"

"Yes!" Song Yan said, "My uncle gave me the nickname 'Qianli'."

Song Mo listened, and his smile became even more cordial. He asked, "So what kind of books do you usually read? Have you ever been to a police station?"

"I usually just read the Four Books and Five Classics with my uncle. My uncle said that my level is limited and asked me to study for a few more years before I can start."

Song Mo knew that the literary style in Jiangnan was flourishing, and it was usually much more difficult to pass the imperial examination than in the north. Moreover, Song Yan's parents had both passed away, and Song Yumin was the principal in Zhending. The journey from Zhending to Jiangnan was thousands of miles and cost a lot of money, which might be one of the reasons why he did not return home to take the imperial examination.

"Since you are ready to go on stage, I guess you have some experience in craftsmanship?" he said with a smile.

Song Yan was humble as usual: "But I just learned to write, so I can only say that I have not lost my way."

Song Mo smiled and said, "Last time I saw a question in my father-in-law's room, 'Knowing how to cultivate oneself, and following the lower section.' I know what 'knowing how to cultivate oneself' means, which is 'Knowing how to cultivate oneself, then knowing how to govern others; knowing how to govern others, then knowing how to govern the country.' I just don't know what 'following the lower section' means?"

Song Yumin, Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang, who were originally watching their questions and answers with a smile, couldn't help but put away their smiles.

This is a "cut-and-match question" that requires the craftsman to be familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics. It is the most difficult question in craftsmanship.

Song Mo said he didn't know what the next sentence was, so Song Yumin, Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang naturally didn't believe him. But Song Yan and Song Mo had no grudges against each other, so what did he mean by making things difficult for Song Yan?

Song Yumin couldn't help but sit up straight.

The brothers Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang exchanged looks in surprise.

Song Yanyi smiled and said, "It is from the Doctrine of the Mean, 'There are nine principles for governing a country: cultivating oneself, honoring the virtuous, loving one's relatives, respecting ministers, caring for the officials, being kind to the common people, attracting all kinds of craftsmen, being gentle to distant people, and being considerate to the princes.'"

He also understood something. This fourth aunt of the Dou family, the eldest son of the Duke of Ying's Mansion, was going to test him!

But why?

Compared with Song Mo, he was of humble origin and had no achievements. He had no connection with this nobleman. Why would he keep targeting him?

Song Yan was full of confusion.

Song Mo stared at him intently and said with a smile: "The principles of self-cultivation in the Doctrine of the Mean are applicable to all political practices."

Song Yan did not understand what Song Mo meant for a moment. After a while, he realized that Song Mo was writing an article on art with the title "Knowing Why to Cultivate Oneself and Combining the Next Section".

But why was he looking at himself?

Song Yan muttered quietly in his heart.

Song Mo just looked at him and smiled without saying anything.

Song Yan suddenly realized.

Song Mo, this is for him to continue writing!

He was stunned.

Song Mo slowly picked up the teacup, took a sip, and praised: "The tea is really good!"

The Dou family treated them to Jiangxi Shuangjing Green Tea today.

Song Yan couldn't help sweating on his forehead and looked at Song Yumin for help.

The Dou brothers and Song Yumin came to their senses. Dou Dechang was about to save the situation, but Song Mo had already asked Song Yumin with a smile, "Mr. Song, where are you?"

Song Yumin couldn't figure out Song Mo's intention, and said vaguely: "At a friend's house."

Song Mo pressed on: "Is it in the east or west of the city? Which neighborhood?"

Song Yumin frowned almost imperceptibly.

He had heard a lot about this prince of the Duke of Ying's Mansion during his time in Kyoto. Not only did he come from a distinguished family, but his methods and strategies were also not to be underestimated. He was just a small scholar, so naturally he would avoid him if he could and endure him if he could.

"It's in the Si Tiao Hutong in Chong'anfang in the west of the city." Song Yumin said, "I'm staying at a friend's house!"

Song Mo smiled and nodded, his eyes fell on Song Yan again, as if urging him to answer the question quickly.

Fortunately, Song Yan had a good foundation. He was originally planning to return to his hometown with his uncle and then quit. In the past two years, he has been concentrating on his art. He took a deep breath, calmed down, and thought for about half an incense stick of time. He said, "There is a sequence for the principle of governing the country, which can be applied from oneself to others. It is so important that one must cultivate oneself. The Doctrine of the Mean mentions this, and applies politics to the body, and one can apply oneself to politics." Although his tone was a little hesitant, the article was coherent and fluent.

The most important thing about this topic is to connect the previous and the next sentences together. Especially since Song Mo opened the topic and Song Yan continued it.

Everyone in the room's eyes lit up.

Song Yan couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief, feeling a little more confident, and continued: "Are you the only one who has no idea? Zisi quoted Confucius' answer to Ai Gong's question about politics, saying that governing is about self-cultivation. The principles of my body are the principles of others. If I truly know how to cultivate myself, then I can establish virtue and practice the Tao... The principles of one person are the principles of ten thousand people... However, the country of the world cannot be left ungoverned, and there are nine constant principles in its politics..."

Suddenly, someone outside the flower hall clapped their hands and said, "What a great saying, 'One person's reason is the reason for ten thousand people'!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Dou Shiying, dressed in court robes, walking in with a smile on his face.

"Chisato, I didn't expect your knowledge to be so solid!"

Everyone stood up to greet Dou Shiying, and then sat down again as guests and hosts.

Dou Shiying laughed and asked, "Why are you doing crafts?"

The eyes of Song Yumin and others fell on Song Mo.

Song Mo showed no sign of surprise, and replied with a smile, "I was just chatting for a while when I had nothing to do."

As a scholar, Dou Shiying naturally hoped that Song Mo also had a great deal of knowledge. Hearing this, he immediately became interested and asked what was going on.

Dou Zhengchang hurriedly recounted the whole story, which made Dou Shiying itchy, and he discussed the art of making articles with Song Yumin.

Song Mo found an excuse and went to Dou Zhao: "What did my aunt say?"

"It's done!" Dou Zhao showed a triumphant expression, "As long as the Song family also has this intention, the marriage can be settled."

"I'm afraid there are still some problems with the Song family." Song Mo told Dou Zhao about his test of Song Yan. "Since he has such good knowledge, he must want to take the imperial examination to become an official. I'm afraid he won't easily agree to marry into the family."

Dou Zhao opened his mouth wide and said awkwardly, "No wonder my uncle and aunt have been busy for so many years and still haven't found a suitable husband for cousin Zhangru."

"But it's not completely impossible." Song Mo made a decision, and he was much more tenacious than Dou Zhao. He pondered, "I have already found out where Song Yumin lives. I will visit Song Yumin in person later and make him agree to the marriage. Song Qianli grew up eating at many people's homes and has received Song Yumin's kindness. If Song Yumin agrees, how can he not agree?"

"Then how do you plan to get Mr. Song to agree?" In Dou Zhao's impression, although Mr. Song is gentle, he is not the kind of good-natured person without his own opinions.

"Everyone has weaknesses." Song Mo said, "It's a bit too late, I'll get in touch with him first."

That's all we can do.

Dou Zhao looked a little depressed.

Her two attempts at matchmaking had failed in a row, and she really didn't have the potential to be a matchmaker. After she found a suitable husband for her cousin Zhangru, she would no longer care about such matters.

One of them went back to the backyard and the other went back to the flower hall.

After lunch, Song Yumin and Song Yan stood up and said goodbye.

After a stick of incense, Song Mo and Dou Zhao also left Jing'an Temple Hutong.

Dou Dechang pestered Dou Shiying: "Seventh uncle, 'Knowing how to cultivate oneself and be in harmony with the lower realms', is this the question you gave to your fourth brother-in-law?"

"I don't have one!" Dou Shiying asked curiously, "Could it be that Mr. Song didn't ask the question?"

How dare he give Song Mo such a difficult question? If Song Mo couldn't answer it, wouldn't it destroy the relationship between them?

Dou Zhengchang and Dou Dechang could not help but look at each other.

Dou Shiying was anxious: "What's going on? Tell me quickly!"